Integration

of quantitative genomics and neurobiology to understand Autism Spectrum Disorders

Family-Based Studies

lead to better understanding of neurodiversity

Modeling Behavioral Traits

in experimental organisms will lead to new therapies

Welcome to ASPE

The Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania established ASPE, the Autism Spectrum Program of Excellence, in 2017 to significantly improve the understanding of the genetic causes of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in order to energize the research and clinical community across the globe. The ASPE program was made possible by a generous donation from an anonymous philanthropist.

Genetic studies of ASD will give us greater insight into the genetic roots of the entire autism spectrum. A major focus of ASPE will be on the NRXN1 gene, which codes for the protein neurexin 1 and has been associated with autism spectrum disorder and other psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.